Each Fall, I reassess. I reassess my wardrobe; I reassess my makeup collection. I even

reassess my diet and workout routines. I do this because #1 - I become bored with what I've been doing, and #2 - I want to stay relevant and with the times. I enjoy this practice by creating new Pin Boards, looking through a few magazines (yes, printed magazines!), and keeping a close eye on beauty and fashion brands I admire. Basically, I'm looking for fresh inspiration! This process is F U N! It's a great time to invite new looks and experiences into my lifestyle. So let's begin with an easy area to assess for the Fall season ahead - your MAKEUP! Many of you may struggle with applying makeup and finding the best brands and colors for your skin tone. I feel you! There is SO much to choose from, so many beauty retailers, online stores, and amazing influencers to follow. Where do you begin? A simple way to begin is to assess what you have. Go through your products, and ask yourself these three questions for each product.

1. Have I used the product in the last four months? If the answer is no, then let it go! You're more than likely not attracted to the color or texture of the product. If this is the case, then sayonara, baby! It's time to refresh!

2. Is the product falling apart, or is the package broken? Crumbling products or packaging are not fun to use! And, it's more than likely not a great makeup item to have if it's compromised. If the thing is falling apart and difficult to use - out it goes!

3. Do you feel confident in the color the makeup is providing? When you're applying the color (whether lipstick, eyeshadow, or foundation), ask yourself if you feel confident in the shade. Does it work well with your skin tone and personality? If you're on the fence, then the color is not for you. And that's okay! We all need to try new colors, but if it doesn't work, you won't use it. Chalk it up to a great experiment and focus on adding colors that you know you'll love and feel great in!

So, now that you've cleaned out your products - let's break it down to a few very simple, key products that can enhance anyone's makeup collection. Male or female - these 5 products are great for everyday use but equally as great to have with you when you're preparing for a photo shoot, too!

Fall Makeup Essentials:

Concealer - This concealer will help you easily conceal dark circles, minor blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

Pressed Powder - This pressed powder is great for anyone looking to minimize pores

and take away that mid-day shine. The powder is great to pop on before having a photo taken to create a flawless airbrush effect.

Burt's Bee's Hydrating Lip Balm - A lip balm for any day and every day! Hydrated lips are healthy lips! This balm is super hydrating with a subtle hint of shine.

Pro-Tip: Please keep those puckers hydrated and always exfoliate your lips before a

photo shoot. This will help your lips appear plumper and any color added to your lips will look amazing! See my quick and easy exfoliator recipe below…

Bronzer - Adding a hint of sun any time of year will help you achieve a sun-kissed youthful appearance. Add the bronzer lightly to the forehead, just below the cheekbones, and softly dab some bronzer on the chin.

Clear Brow Gel - Having well-groomed eyebrows opens the eye area and presents a polished look. Brow gel is fantastic for making sure your beautiful brows look spot on! Simply brush a few light strokes of brow gel in an upward motion on the brows.

Lip Color: I love these clean, beauty lip tints from Burt's Bees. They're in a retractable stick, so they're super easy to apply. I also pop a few dots of color on my cheeks and blend them with my fingers for a super-easy cheek tint.

Adding these items will create a great foundation to build clean, simple makeup applications. As I mentioned, having these items with you on a photoshoot is an easy way to have a great personal kit for touchups!

Easy Lip Exfoliator Recipe:

In a small cup or dish add….

• Tablespoon of sugar or salt, your choice - I suggest sugar, but salt will work, too!

• One teaspoon of olive oil, coconut oil, or honey - your choice!

• Stir the two ingredients into a rough paste

• Over a sink, apply the paste with your fingers to the lip area and scrub-scrub-scrub!

• Wipe away exfoliator with a warm washcloth

Viola - exfoliated lips!

You are well on your way to a clean and concise makeup routine with basic products that can enhance your everyday look!

Written by: Megan Hurley